As we are all aware, the American economy has been tanking pretty badly over the past few years with wars waging overseas, the national unemployment rate on the rise and natural disasters around seemingly every bend. United States industries have gone through lean transformations, companies have folded, banks have become engulfed in media-frenzied scandals and public morale has dipped to an all-time low. We have all been affected by the recession in one way or another (oftentimes in multiple ways). It’s time for a vacation, don’t you think?

Tourism Vancouver has a current promotion running that will knock your socks off (quite literally – you will be wearing sandals and flip flops by the time you are through partaking in the gifts a plenty being offered by our Canadian sister to the north). The Vancouver Pride prize package includes everything you and your fabulous friends will need to have a memorably fantastic time next July.

The way this promotion works is pretty simple: Visit the Party of Five to Pride Sweepstakes official website, enter your basic information with a few simple clicks and then choose the four friends you would like to have with you on your escape to Vancouver Pride 2011 should you be the lucky winner. (This is the part where I tell you that many, many, many people will enter and only one person will win).

If you are chosen as the sweepstakes winner for this amazing Vancouver Pride weekend trip, you will inherit the following perks that will have your friends jealous (well, besides the four of them along for the complimentary ride of course): Round trip airfare for five people, two nights of shared accommodations at the ultra-plush OPUS Hotel Vancouver in Davie Village (two connecting Superior Rooms will be provided) and $500 to enjoy at one of Vancouver’s premiere hot spots to see and be seen – the Raincity Grill Restaurant! The value of this weekend getaway is upwards of $7,000!

Vancouver is home to the largest gay and lesbian population in all of Western Canada. Famed Davie Street, Commercial Drive and the West End district are all extremely gay friendly and welcoming. There is an annual event called Festival of Light that occurs over the English Bay right on Pride Weekend and, if you choose to believe, you may just think that it is a fireworks celebration for Gay Pride! Find out more about LGBT Vancouver activities and sights to see by visiting Gay Vancouver.

The Party of Five to Pride Sweepstakes is open to 49 U.S. states (Florida is the only U.S. state not supported in this sweepstakes). U.S. residents must be at least 21 years old to participate in this Pride trip. Tourism Vancouver employees and immediate family members are not eligible for this package. If you live in Canada, the province of Quebec is excluded from this sweepstakes and you must be at least 19 years old to win. There is a limit of one entry per person and email address. The Party of Five to Pride Sweepstakes began at 12:00:01 AM PT on July 5, 2010 and will end at 11:59:59 PM PT on December 31, 2010. A random winner will be selected on or around January 15, 2011. Vancouver Pride is scheduled for July 30-31, 2011.

Get more from Sarah here!

Follow SheWired on Twitter!

Follow SheWired on Facebook!